lutter is a concern for many
homeowners. Clutter can gradually
accumulate, and over time a home
can turn from a welcoming respite to a
claustrophobic place overwhelmed by items
of little or no value.
Homeowners who have battled clutter in
the past often find that it is most likely to
accumulate over the winter, when frigid
temperatures outside drive more people
indoors. Spending more time indoors
means more trash indoors. Newspapers and
magazines might be easy to discard when
the weather is warm, but a trip outside to
discard such items takes less precedence
when it must be made in below freezing
temperatures.
The likelihood that even the cleanliest
of homeowners might accumulate some
clutter over the winter only highlights the
importance of clearing a house of clutter in

the fall. While clearing clutter can seem like
an arduous task, the following tips can make
the project much easier.
Clean one room or area at a time. A
disorganized approach to getting organized
is likely to waste time and may even prove
fruitless. Work your way through your home
or apartment one room at a time rather than
jumping from room to room. Have boxes
or crates designated for items you find that
belong in other rooms, and place items in the
appropriate boxes as you clean rather than
returning items to the right room as you find
them. Once you have finished a room, move
on to the next one and try to finish a room on
the same day you started.
Invest in a paper shredder. Old bills,
bank statements, receipts, and other onceimportant papers have a way of accumulating
on desks, in drawers and on counters. Such
documents often do not need to be held

closet. This frees up room for your fall
and winter clothing and helps you avoid
overstuffed drawers. In addition to clothing,
store seasonal furniture neatly in the back
of your garage or storage shed, pulling out
items like snow shovels or snow blowers you
may need come the winter.
Tackle the hall closet. Hall closets are
convenient dropoff spots for items of all
shapes, uses and sizes, as the hall closet
is not necessarily opened each day and
therefore men and women can simply
ignore it as it gradually accumulates more
and more random items. But hall closets
can be valuable storage spaces when used
appropriately. Designate a significant amount
of time to tackle hallway closets in your
home so you can thoroughly reduce the
clutter within them and get back to using the
closets as the valuable, organized storage
units they’re intended to be. Discuss having
different purposes for each closet, such as
one devoted to cleaning items, another to
coats, and so on. Resolve to keep the floors
in each closet clear of items, as clutter tends
to be on the floor and then work its way
upward, eventually encompassing the entire
closet. Once the hallway closets have been
cleared, work hard to keep them clean as
autumn turns into winter.

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onto, but men and women are hesitant to
discard them because they contain personal
information. A paper shredder is a great
investment for homeowners and apartment
dwellers alike and can be the safest way to
discard documents with potentially sensitive
information. It’s also a friend to anyone
attempting to clear clutter. Many shredders
can shred multiple pages at a time, making
them a quick and safe way to discard
documents that have been littering a home
long after they were useful.
Decide to donate some items. Many unused
items lying around your house can likely be
donated to a worthy cause, which can help
motivate you to clean out your closet of all
those extra sweaters and other items you no
longer wear. Encourage fellow members of
the household to donate as well, and set aside
a few boxes for clothes that will be donated
and those that will be discarded. Donated
items need not be clothes, as many goodwill
organizations accept appliances and other
products as well.
Put seasonal items away. Storing seasonal
items like patio furniture and swimsuits can
help reduce the likelihood that clutter will
build up in the months ahead. Pack items
from your summer wardrobe together and
store them in a suitcase in the back of your

Fall Home • October 2013 • 6

How to
increase
storage

C

in tight spaces

ozy, quaint homes attract many
home buyers and renters. Be it
a cottage-style house or a studio
apartment, smaller living spaces often
involve getting creative with storage.
People live in a smaller homes for a
variety of reasons. Some choose to live
in a smaller home so they can be right
in the thick of things in a city or urban
center. Others scale back on living
space in an effort to save money. But
storage space in small quarters is often
at a premium, and thinking creatively
is a necessity to keep the home tidy and
items out of view.
Rainy or chilly days are the perfect times
to tackle indoor organization projects.
When the outdoors isn’t beckoning,
you can devote all of your attention to
addressing storage issues in your home.
To begin, take inventory of what you
have, going through your possessions
and determining what can stay and what
can go. Part with anything you haven’t
used in quite some time.
The next step is to sort items and get
organized. Then you can find a place for
everything. For example, if you have a
dozen bath towels but only one sauce
pot, you will need to find more room for
linens than kitchen cookware. You may

need to borrow space from one area of
the home to give to another area. The
following are some additional tips to
increase space in an otherwise cramped
home.
Add shelves. Increase cabinet and closet
space by adding shelves into them. This
may double or even triple the amount of
usable space, especially if you customize
the shelving to fit storage containers you
use to store everything from shoes to
craft items.
Opt for dual-purpose furniture.
Benches with lids that lift up and sofas
that convert into guest beds are just a few
of the many ways you can keep a small
home neat and increase storage space.
An ottoman is a great place to store
extra blankets and linens, while a trunk
or crate with a sturdy top can be used in
lieu of a traditional coffee table to keep
books or board games.
Think vertically. When floor space is
at a premium, you may need to look up
for storage. Frequently used pots and
pans can be hung from a decorative rack
in your kitchen. Use magnets on jars to
store a spice rack on the wall near the
stove. Racks above cabinets or on doors
can be used to store everything from

shoes to jewelry to toiletries. Shelving
in children’s rooms can store lesser used
toys away from the floor. Empty walls
are valuable real estate in a small home,
and tall bookshelves can house a number
of different things.
Take advantage of oddly shaped
crevices. If you have space under a
staircase or a spot by a dormer or in an
attic eave, use the space to store items.
You may need to get creative, such as
adding a door and small closet into the
staircase, but such spaces make practical
storage areas and add character to a
home.
Use see-through storage containers.
Many people find that plastic storage
bins are neater and more stackable than
boxes. See-through bins enable you to
quickly find items so that you are not
searching around the house for lost items
and creating a bigger mess along the
way. Clear storage containers work in
the refrigerator, too. You can more easily
spot leftovers, and uniform stacking
containers free up more room for bulkier
items.
Make use of space beneath your bed.
There likely is ample room to store more
things than just dust bunnies beneath

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your bed. A bed frame with built-in drawers
is the perfect place to keep bed linens and
out-of-season clothes. Beds can be raised on
blocks to create more space underneath for
storing rolling plastic containers and even
seldom-used suitcases.
Opt for an armoire. Armoires are not
exclusive to bedrooms. Armoires can be used
in dining spaces or in dens to store items
out of sight. An armoire can be used when
retrofitted with a pull-out shelf as a laptop
desk, storing all office items behind closed
doors when not needed.
Improve storage in the bathroom. Try
to10/17
choosefall:Layout
a vanity that has
under-the-sink
2 9/24/13 1:31 PM

storage so you will have a place to store
some toiletries. Home improvement centers
sell cabinets and etageres that can be placed
above the toilet tank as a storage space for
bathroom items. In the shower, hang a second
tension-loaded shower curtain rod on the
inside of the shower enclosure that can be
used to hold bags of kids bath toys and other
toiletries, keeping them off the tub ledges.
When you think creatively, you can
maximize storage space even in a small
home.

ome improvement projects can add
value to a home and do-it-yourselfers know the sweat-equity that goes
into such projects can give homeowners a
greater sense of pride in their homes. But
no two home improvement projects are the
same, and homeowners should know that
certain projects are best tackled during certain times of the year.
Fall is a great season to work on your
house, as the weather is often at its most
agreeable once the summer heat has gone
and before winter weather arrives. The following are a handful of fall-friendly home
improvement projects for homeowners
looking to improve their homes.
ROOF REPAIR
Whether you’re repairing or replacing the
roof, fall is a great time of year to dust off
the ladder and get some work done on your
roof for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, fall is ideal for roof work because
you won’t have to be up on the roof with
the summer heat bearing down on you. This
can make the project move along more
quickly, which is especially beneficial if
you are paying laborers to work on the
roof. The fewer hours workers are fixing
your roof, the less you will be paying in
labor costs.
In addition, fixing up the roof in the fall
ensures those winter storms, be it rain or
snow, won’t find their way into your home
via leaks. A leaky roof in winter is hard to
fix, as the roof surface could be treacherous
in the winter and winter winds can make it
dangerous to be up on the roof at all.
Addressing leaks in the fall can prevent
damage to your home’s interior, which can
mount up if a leaky roof is not addressed
until the following spring.

WINDOW WORK
When the weather outside gets frightful,
poorly insulated windows can allow cold
air into the home. That often has a trickledown effect on finances, forcing you to turn
up the thermostat in an attempt to offset the
cold air pouring into the home. Whether
you need your windows replaced or simply
need to patch up any leaks, a proactive
approach to leaky or older windows in the
fall can save you from unnecessarily high
heating bills come the winter. Addressing
leaky windows also makes a home more
comfortable for its inhabitants.
Fall is the ideal time to address a home’s
windows because the temperature outside
tends to be pleasant. This means you likely
won’t have to make much of an effort to
offset the elements, and open windows in
the fall won’t make your home’s interior
very hot or cold like they might if you were
to tackle the project during the summer or
winter.

Fixing the floors
Wood flooring is a hot commodity for
many homeowners. But not all flooring can
be added to a home at any time of year.
That’s because certain types of flooring
employ adhesives that need temperatures
inside the home to be within a certain
range, and that range is often within 70º to
80º F, which makes fall a great time to
install such floors. Colder temperatures can
make it difficult for the flooring to dry and
bond, which will prove problematic down
the road. What’s more, many people entertain friends and family come late fall and
into the holiday season, and it can be difficult to do so if you are busy installing new
flooring.

Fall is an ideal time of year to tackle home painting projects.
PAINTING PROJECTS
Painting is another home improvement
project that seems tailor-made for fall. A
fresh coat of paint or a new color scheme
around the house can give a home an
entirely new look and feel. But paint can be
pungent and the aromas may last if it’s
applied at a time of year when it can’t dry
while the windows are wide open. Paint
fumes inside a home can make the home
uninhabitable, but painting at a time of year
like the fall, when you can keep the windows open during and after the project, can
help air the home out.

But interior painting isn’t the only painting
project homeowners can tackle in the fall.
Many exterior paints are temperature-sensitive and need the temperature outside to be
above 40º F. Paint that freezes won’t dry
properly, and homeowners might be left
with a costly and unsightly mistake on their
hands. Fall temperatures tend to be amenable to both interior and exterior painting
projects, just be sure to check the weather
forecast before making your first brush
stroke.

Fall Home • October 2013 • 1

401-464-5996

Prep
work

important
before
painting

P

ainting a home’s interior can give it
a completely new look and feel. A
fresh coat of paint can make a room
feel more vibrant and up-to-date, creating a
whole new attitude within the room without
breaking the bank.

Wash the walls. Walls can get dirty, and
that dirt may or may not be masked by paint.
Before adding a new coat of paint, wash the
walls and inspect them for dust. Dust can
collect on molding, especially in rooms that
get little natural air. When dust has collected
on the molding and around doorways and
trim, use a damp cloth to wipe it away
before adding any new paint.
Apply primer. Primer can serve many
functions, not the least of which is its role
as a bonding agent between the wall and
the top coat of paint. Primer can also help
conceal dark colors, prevent stains and
increase the life expectancy of the paint job
you are about to undertake.
Prepare your paint. Preparing the paint
is a simple task, but one novice painters
may not be aware of. When opening a new
can of paint, stir the paint before using it.
In addition, even if you don’t plan to use a
roller when painting, do not paint straight
from the can, which can be heavier to hold
than a small bowl, and a light bowl is less
likely to be spilled than a potentially heavy
can of paint. In addition, once paint has
been removed from the can, replace the lid
so dust and other impurities do not settle in
the can.

Whether creating an accent wall or painting
each wall within a room, painting is a
relatively easy and inexpensive home
improvement project. But that doesn’t mean
painting does not require a little prep work
before the project can begin.

Purchase painter’s tape. Painter’s tape can
be especially valuable to novice painters.
Painter’s tape makes it easier to paint
smooth and clean paint lines, giving a room
a more professional looking coat of paint
without the cost of hiring a professional
painter.

Address any holes or bumps on the wall.
Holes or cracks in the wall will need to be
patched with spackle, which then must dry
before the wall can be given a new coat of
paint. In addition, sand down any bumps
until the walls are smooth and free of any
unsightly abnormalities.

Painting can be an inexpensive and fun
way to upgrade a home’s interior. But
even though painting does not require the
technical know-how of more large-scale
home improvement projects, it still requires
some prep work and attention to detail to
ensure the job is done right.

bathroom renovations
alternatives. You may be able to
save more by buying tile in bulk
and using the remainder in other
applications around the house.
Paint
Do not underestimate the power of
a fresh coat of paint on any room in
the house, including the bathroom.
Dark, small spaces can be made to
look more expansive with lighter
colors. Cavernous bathrooms
that look empty may prove more
inviting with darker hues. Pick a
paint that is designed for bathroom
application so that it will inhibit the
growth of mold and mildew.

B

athroom renovations
are second to kitchen
renovations on the list of
the top remodeling projects to
increase home value. The popularity
of bathroom renovations and their
ability to transform a space has left
many homeowners wondering if
there are any easy and affordable
ways to change the look of their
bathrooms.
While “easy” is a relative term,
there are ways homeowners willing
to make certain concessions
can keep the work and cost of a
bathroom renovation to a minimum.
Resurface
When possible, covering up what
you have in the bathroom is much
less expensive and less laborintensive than tearing out existing
fixtures and floors and replacing
them anew. Resurfacing can extend
to refinishing bathtubs to installing
shower liners. Those who have
unsightly walls or wallpaper that
they’re just not ready to remove
may consider using wainscotting to

cover a portion of the room or even
tiling entire walls.
It is important to note that
resurfacing and covering up items
in the bathroom should only be
reserved for cosmetic fixes. If
something needs to be replaced
because it is damaged or mildewcovered, then covering it up is only
hiding the problem and asking for
more work in the long run.
Scale back on materials
One way to save money on a
bathroom renovation project is to
choose less expensive materials.
For example, you may not need to
install travertine or marble flooring
in a space where less expensive
flooring like vinyl is adequate.
Advancements in vinyl flooring
have enabled this affordable
material to mimic the look of more
expensive materials at a fraction of
the cost.
When redoing tile on walls
and shower enclosures, many
domestically-produced tiles rival the
looks of more expensive imported

Update hardware
A new faucet or some new cabinet
pulls can make the room look new
and fresh without breaking the
bank. Match finishes throughout
the bathroom so everything will
be cohesive. When shopping for a
new shower head, choose a model
that also conserves water. This way
you will be making cosmetic and
energy-saving renovations at the
same time.
DIY
Handling labor yourself instead of
hiring workers can reduce the cost
of bathroom remodels considerably.
It is possible to buy fully assembled
bathroom vanities and install them
yourself. Even installing a new
toilet is relatively easy with the help
of a friend.
There are a number of ways to
make bathroom renovations a bit
easier and more affordable. Even
nominal changes can give the space
an entirely different look and feel,
which can make the room more
enjoyable and help improve a
home’s resale value in the process.

While some backed up drains must be cleared
by a plumber, homeowners might be able to
address some clogged drains on their own.

Tips

for unclogging drains

C

logged drains can
be a nuisance. And
if left untreated, that
minor nuisance can turn
into an expensive repair.
A number of different
things can cause drains to
clog. Food particles, hair,
grease, soap residue, oil,
and even a foreign object
lodged in the drain can
each cause a drain to clog.
Before you have to call a
plumber, there are steps
to take that may get water
flowing once more.
Bubbles galore
Baking soda has many uses
in the home. This versatile
product can be used
dislodge items in drains. It
is better to try baking soda
when clogs are minor and
water drainage is sluggish
rather than waiting for the
clog to get so bad that water
is impenetrable.
When baking soda and
common household vinegar

are mixed together, they
form a new chemical called
carbonic acid. This acid
immediately begins to
degrade into carbon dioxide
gas, which produces foam
and bubbles in the process.
This bubbling action can
upset the source of a clog
in a pipe and dislodge
particles that may be
causing the water backup.
Keep your face away from
the drain as the smell
of vinegar mixing with
the baking soda may be
unpleasant.
Baking soda also can be
mixed with salt and boiling
water to break down grease
that may be clogging
drains. Repeatedly washing
this mixture down drains
can gently scour pipes and
keep water moving steadily.
Plunge ahead
If a clog is especially
stubborn, you may need to
use a plunger. A plunger

Pop and fizz
Colas are loaded with phosphoric acid, which
is more acidic than lemon juice and is also
corrosive. This acid will fizz in the drain and
break through any greasy, stubborn residue. It’s
even effective at dissolving calcium deposits,
which may be a byproduct of hard water.
Snake it
Some clogs are more stubborn and require
some extra elbow grease to fix. A pipe snake
can push hair and other debris through the
pipes until water can run free. They also can
be used to pull the obstacle back up out of
the drain. While there are snakes of various
lengths, sometimes a small one that makes
it just to the bend of the elbow trap can be
sufficient. A snake is essentially a flexible
piece of wire that is inserted in the pipe. It may
have a coarse or wound end to ensnare a clog.
Call a plumber
Unless you feel confident taking pipes apart
to check for and clear out clogs and then
reassembling everything, you may need to call
a plumber if the clog will not relent. It may
be lower in the system than at house level,
especially if there are clogs in multiple sinks
or appliances in the home. Multiple clogged
drains may be indicative of a more serious
problem.
Many clogs can be alleviated with simple
household items. Serious clogs may require the
expertise of a plumber.

How to make

13 • Fall Home • October 2013

works by forcing the energy you push on the
plunger into the surrounding water, which then
applies pressure against the clog. Repeatedly
forcing water against a clog can move it along
until it frees up the drain. Plunging can be
messy, so wear old clothes when plunging.
Make sure the head of the plunger is filled with
water; otherwise, your work will be for naught.
You may want to keep a separate plunger
handy for sink work so you are not transferring
bacteria and waste from a toilet plunger into
the sink, especially in the kitchen.

a home handicap accessible

M

any homeowners have found
themselves scrambling to make
their homes handicap accessible
after a sudden injury or illness. In addition,
some homeowners have found themselves
looking to make adjustments to their homes
in anticipation of welcoming elderly, less
mobile relatives into their homes.
Converting a home into a handicapaccessible space can seem like a daunting
task that requires adjustments to nearly
every part of the house. While the extent of
those adjustments depends on the individual
who needs to be accommodated, some of
the areas homeowners must address when
making their homes handicap accessible
are universal regardless of the individual’s
condition.
Entryways
A home’s entryways often must be
addressed when making the home more
handicap accessible. Portable ramps can be
an affordable option and are often an ideal
for those who only need to make temporary
adjustments, such as when a resident suffers
an injury that requires he or she spend some
time in a wheelchair. When the adjustments
will just be temporary, a folding wheelchair
might be necessary, as the doorways might
not be able to fit a standard wheelchair that
doesn’t fold.
When adjustments figure to be permanent,
homeowners might need to expand the
doorways in their homes. Contractors
typically recommend expanding doorways
to at least 32 inches, which provides some
maneuverability when wheelchairs, which
are typically between 24 and 27 inches wide,

are entering the home. Doorways at the most
commonly used entryways, including front
doors and doors to the bathrooms as well as
the individual’s bedroom, will likely need to
be widened.
Bathroom
The bathroom might be the area of the
home that needs the most attention. Slippery
conditions common to bathrooms can make
things especially difficult for people in
wheelchairs or with disabilities. Grab bars
should be installed in bath tubs and shower
stalls and next to toilets.
But grab bars aren’t the only adjustment
homeowners should make in the bathroom
as they attempt to make a home more
handicap accessible. Safety treads, which
can provide a secure, slip-free surface
on the floors of showers and tubs, can be
installed. Add a hand-held shower head to
the shower stall to make it easier for those
with a disability to shower. Portable transfer
seats, which enable wheelchair-bound men
and women to transition from their chairs to
showers and bathtubs, can be purchased and
kept in or near the bathroom.
Water fixtures
An often overlooked adjustment
homeowners must make when transforming
their homes into handicap-accessible spaces
concerns the sinks throughout the home.
Disabled persons may find it difficult to
access faucets on sinks throughout the home,
especially when there are vanity cabinets
beneath the sinks. Replacing such sinks with
pedestal sinks can improve maneuverability,
but make sure such sinks are lower to the

ground than standard pedestal sinks. A sink
that’s just a few inches lower than a standard
sink is considerably more accessible to
people in wheelchairs.
Closets
Closets are rarely handicap accessible.
Homeowners can address this issue by
creating multi-level closet spaces so
individuals can place their clothes at
accessible heights. Closet shelves can
be lowered and doors can be widened so
disabled persons can easily manage their
wardrobes. In addition, consider installing
a light inside the closet and make sure the
light switch can be easily reached from a
wheelchair.
Making a home more handicap accessible
can be a significant undertaking, but many
of the adjustments homeowners must make
are small in scale and won’t take long to
complete.

Fall Home • October 2013 • 1

How to invite more natural light into your home

A

New windows may allow more
natural light to enter a home.

dark home can
be dreary and
drain residents’
energy levels rather
quickly. Natural light
has the power to make
a person feel more
energized, and it also can
buoy spirits. As a result,
many homeowners want
to increase the amount
of natural light in their
homes.
Increasing natural
sunlight in a home
reduces reliance on
interior lighting. This
reduces energy bills
and lowers the home’s
carbon footprint. Natural
light also can help people
in a home feel happier
and more content.
According to the
National Institutes of
Health, some people
experience serious
mood changes during
the winter months.
Dubbed seasonal
affective disorder, or
SAD, this condition may
be effectively treated
with light therapy.
Exposure to more light
can alleviate fatigue,
loss of interest and sad
or anxious feelings.
Homeowners looking
to increase the natural
light in their homes, be it

for medical or aesthetic
reasons, can do so in a
variety of ways.
Keep the drapes open.
Opening blinds and
curtains as far as they
will go allows as much
light to shine in without
having to do major
home renovations or
spend any money at all.
Homeowners concerned
about privacy can install
a window film that
allows viewing from the
inside only.
Clean the windows.
Dirty windows obstruct
sunlight from entering
the home. They also can
make a home appear
unkempt. Spend a
free day cleaning the
windows so that they’ll
let ample light in.
Install seamless or lowprofile windows and
doors. Seamless sliding
doors enable a large
amount of light to enter
the home. Such doors
can replace an entire
wall to brighten up a
dark area of a home. The
more windows and doors
a home has, the brighter
it will be.

Take inventory of dark
spots. A room may be
dark because it simply
does not have a layout
conducive to brightness.
Is a wall blocking
light from reaching a
portion of the room?
Think about changing
the room’s layout or
even making structural
changes to improve light
distribution. The addition
of a small window on
a south- or west-facing
wall can greatly improve
natural light. Using
mirrors can also reflect
light where it is needed.
Invest in skylights
or solar tubes. Both
skylights or solar tubes
enable light to enter
a home from above.
Skylights are larger and
require considerably
more work to install,
while solar tubes are
more low-profile and
can be put into rooms
that do not abut the
roofline, such as those
obstructed by attic space.
The tubular cylinders
are installed between
the roof and the ceiling
and carry light through
a reflective tube to the
room below. Diffusers
on tubular daylighting
devices scatter the rays

so the light doesn’t
cast harsh shadows,
and UV filters can help
protect furniture from
discoloring.
Trim shrubs and trees.
If trees and bushes are
blocking light from
entering your home, trim
them to enable dappled
light to come through.
Deciduous trees that
will naturally lose their
leaves come autumn
can be planted on sunny
areas of the property.
This way in the summer
months they will shade
the house and keep it
cooler, while in winter
more sun will stream in
when the leaves are shed.
Create a three-season
room. Make a spot in
the home where sun
will be at a premium. A
solarium or greenhouse
attached to the home can
be a warm and sunny
spot.
Increasing natural light
in a home can improve
feelings of well-being
and also reduce energy
consumption during
daylight hours.

indoor air quality as winter approaches

Mopping can remove pollutants the
vacuum cleaner might have left behind.

W

ith fall soon to give way to
winter, many people will
soon be spending more
time indoors. Winter weather can be
harsh, and it can be difficult for fresh
air to make its way into a home once
the warmer temperatures of summer
and fall give way to the cold days of
winter.
Poor indoor air quality can cause
multiple problems. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency,
poor indoor air quality can increase
a person’s risk of developing
pneumonia, and it also may aggravate
existing respiratory conditions such
as asthma. The EPA also notes that
long-term exposure to indoor air
pollution can increase a person’s risk
for heart disease, respiratory diseases
and even cancer.
Because indoor air pollution can be
so devastating, many homeowners
look for ways to improve their indoor
air quality, especially before the
arrival of winter, when residents
of the home figure to spend such a
significant amount of time indoors.
Fortunately, homeowners can take
many steps to do just that.
Clean with soap and water.
Soap and hot water can still clean
a home effectively, and this ageold combination might be the
healthiest way to clean as well. Many
household cleaning products contain
potentially harmful ingredients that
can introduce toxins and irritants into
a home. Avoid such cleaners and
solvents when cleaning a home. If

stains prove too stubborn for soap and
water, be sure to open windows when
using potentially harmful cleaners
indoors.
Purchase an air filtration
system. Air filtration systems
vary significantly in size, cost and
function. Some systems are designed
to remove specific pollutants, and
may not be effective at removing
additional indoor air pollutants.
Larger models tend to be most
effective at filtering pollutants
like dust, but such units are more
expensive than smaller units. If your
home is especially dusty, then a large
filtering system may prove a worthy
investment.
Open windows and doors when
possible. Introducing outdoor air into
a home is a great way to improve
indoor air quality. Of course, opening
windows and doors might not be
feasible in the middle of winter.
But take advantage of any such
opportunities when they present
themselves. For example, after
cooking a big meal, open the kitchen
exhaust fan to allow fresh air into the
home. Such fans are not large enough
to cause a significant temperature
drop in the home, but they can
directly remove contaminants from
inside the home, like those that might
be emitted from gas stoves.
Insist guests and residents remove
their shoes. Chemicals can find their
way into a home in a variety of ways,
and you and your fellow residents

or guests may be tracking them into
your home on your shoes. Keep a
doormat inside all entryways, and
insist guests and residents remove
their shoes before entering your
home. This reduces the amount of
potential pollutants brought into your
home and also makes cleaning the
home that much easier.
Break out the mop. Vacuum
cleaners can be effective at picking
up pollutants inside a home, but they
also can leave things behind. When a
vacuum cleaner seems to be leaving
some dust behind, take out the mop
and, with just a little water, address
the areas where dust is still lingering.
Water should be enough to do the
trick, and, unlike some cleaning
products, water won’t be introducing
any additional harmful pollutants into
the home.
Smoke outside. Smoking inside a
home is inviting trouble, especially
during those times of year when
the windows cannot be opened.
Secondhand smoke is a significant
source of indoor air pollution, as
cigarette smoke is known to contain
more than 4,000 chemicals. Smoking
indoors, whether an area is well- or
poorly-ventilated, can be dangerous
to smokers. Exposure to secondhand
smoke puts adults and children alike
at risk of several diseases, including
asthma and cancer. If you or your
fellow residents or visitors must
smoke, do so outdoors.

15 • Fall Home • October 2013

How to improve

Fall Home • October 2013 • 1

My basement is wet;

now what?

F

ew things can cause more
damage to a home than
water. Leaks and flooding
can cause various structural
insufficiencies and may lead to
unsafe conditions in a home. Panic
often sets in when water enters a
home.
Some homeowners live in areas
where a high water table inevitably
forces groundwater up and into
subterranean living spaces. Others
may live close to coastal areas
or rivers and streams that can
overflow and cause home flooding.
Still others who may not have
had a water problem before learn
that a heavy rainfall, and perhaps
inadequate drainage outdoors, can
cause water damage to a home.
Compounding these issues is the
fact that very often a home’s utility
systems are located out of the way
in basements, or these spaces may
be finished to create additional
living space. Water in a basement
can be much more than a nuisance.
Water can lead to thousands of
dollars in damage.
Moisture or several inches of water

in a basement is nothing to take
lightly. Furnaces and water heaters
damaged by water can be costly to
replace. Wires that come in contact
with water can become hazards and
cause an electrical fire, and water
in a basement may be a harbinger
for bacteria and viruses, creating
unsanitary living conditions in
the home. Mold spores that have
developed in a damp basement can
spread to other areas of the home
thanks to a heating and cooling
forced air system. And a cool, damp
spot can be the perfect habitat for
insects.
When a basement develops a
water problem, it is best to call
in a professional. Although it
might not be cheap, calling a
professional can help you to remedy
the situation faster than if you try
several methods to fix the water
problem yourself. When looking
for a waterproofing company, seek
recommendations from people
you trust. Only do business with
licensed professional contractors
who are willing to give you a free
estimate. You also can check out
businesses by contacting consumer
advocacy groups. You may be
able to read up on their business
practices and learn if there have
been any complaints lodged against
a company in the past.
Hydrostatic pressure, poor
foundations and cracks can each
cause water to enter the house.
Each situation is different, and a
combination of exterior and interior
changes may need to be made.
In order to alleviate some water
problems, certain modifications
must be made. While the following
solutions may not be applicable
in each situation, they are some of
the more common modifications

plumbers suggest when fixing
flooded basements.
Sump pump: In some cases,
the installation of a well and a
submersible pump may be all that’s
needed to keep basements dry.
When water rises high enough to
start the pump, the sump pump will
then expel the water out through
a pipe to a drain or the street.
Sometimes a sump pump works
in concert with a French drainage
system, which is a channel around
the perimeter of the basement that
funnels water to the sump pump
well.
Vapor barriers: Vinyl, plastic and
paint encapsulation systems may be
applied to the interior of foundation
walls to serve as a barrier system.
This prevents water or condensation
from reaching the interior of the
house. A vapor barrier may extend
below the foundation to direct water
runoff into a drainage system.
Exterior fixes: There are many
ways to address flooding from
outside the home. These include
using outdoor vapor barriers and
paints, having grading issues
corrected so water will flow
away from the home, digging of
a swale to catch water away from
the basement, exterior drainage
systems, and utilizing specialized
rain gutters and downspouts to
direct water further away from the
home during rainstorms.
Plumbing repairs: Sometimes
water issues may be the result of a
pipe backup or a faulty appliance
and not necessarily an outdoor
water issue. In these cases, repairing
the source of the leak may be all
that’s needed.

How to

rid your home
of drafts

T

hink about what it
might be like if you
turned up the heat
and then opened all of the
windows in your home.
All of that warm air would
rush right out, and you
would be left with a cold
home and a hefty heating
bill.
A home that is full of
drafts is inefficient and
expensive. And drafty
homes are not just a
problem when the weather
is cold, as air that seeps in
when you’re trying to keep
the home cool can be an
inefficient nuisance as well.
Higher energy bills and
wasted resources do not
have to be tolerated if you
simply scour your home for
drafts, sealing them to cut
energy costs and make the
home more comfortable.
Drafts are often small
cracks around windows

and doors, but there are
many other places where
drafts can form. Knowing
some of the less visible
spots where drafts come
from may help you to seal
out unwanted cold air more
effectively.
Attic
Homes that feature attics
with pull-down stairs tend
to be drafty. In such homes,
a large hole is cut out of
the ceiling so residents can
access the attic. So instead
of thick insulation, these
homes may only have a
sheet of plywood blocking
your interior space from
the outdoors, as many
attics are directly vented to
the roof. To determine if
there is a leak, turn on the
attic light, close the attic
door, and check to see if
you can see the light on
from below. If you can,

Dryer vents
The standard home laundry dryer
vents outdoors via an exhaust duct.
This duct is open to the outdoors,
and it may be letting cold air into
the home. That’s because there
is typically a flimsy flapper made
of sheet metal on the outside of
the vent to help protect against air
infiltration. But over time dryer
lint can accumulate at the vent
opening, causing the metal flapper
to stay open when it should close.
Homeowners can invest in dryer
seals that close the vent when the
dryer is not in use. Not only does
this prevent cold air from entering
the house, but also it keeps out
pests, like bugs and rodents.
Pipes
Check pipes that exit the home,

such as those that feed outdoor
water spigots, as such pipes can
let cold air back into the house.
The same can be said for waste
pipes. Also, check to see if pipes
that connect to garages, basements
and crawl spaces are not insulated.
Use sealant around these pipes to
block drafts into the home. Foam
insulation can be sprayed into small
crevices, where it will expand and
harden, blocking off air access.
These damp, cool spots are also
great places for insects to enter
the home. Sealing drafts also may
prevent bugs from entering the
home.
Fireplaces
Although fireplaces often make for
decorative and appealing accents
to a home, many are not effective
sources of ambient heat. They may
draw more warm air out of the
flue than they bring into the house.
When a fireplace is not in use, air
can rise out of the chimney and a
draft can be felt in the home. Some
studies indicate that an open damper
on an unused fireplace, even in a

well-insulated home, can increase
overall heating and cooling energy
consumption by 30 percent.
If you simply must have a fireplace,
remember to always keep the
damper shut when the fireplace is
not in use and use a glass cover
you can seal tightly to further block
the opening to the fireplace from
your living space. Fireplace plugs,
which can keep out drafts during
the season when fireplaces are not
in use, may also be a worthwhile
investment.
Electrical outlets
Outlets and light switches can be
significant sources of drafts in a
home. Check to see that the switch
plates are secure. If drafts still come
through, then employ outlet draft
blockers to prevent cool air from
entering the home and warm air
from exiting it.
Homeowners can address drafts in
a variety of ways. And doing so can
make a home more comfortable and
cut energy costs considerably.

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occurring radioactive
gas that forms from
the natural decay of
uranium found in
many soils. Colorless
and odorless, radon
can significantly
increase a person’s
risk of lung cancer.
Smokers who live
in homes with high
radon levels are
especially susceptible
to lung cancer. Radon
can enter a home by
moving up through
the soil beneath a
home and finding
its way through

cracks and holes
in the foundation.
Many people may
feel homes with
basements are
especially susceptible
to radon, but radon
can enter a home
whether the home has
a basement or not.
Granite countertops
may emit radon, but
not always at levels
that cause cancer.
Countertops can
be tested for radon
emissions, and such
testing is inexpensive
and quick.

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17 • Fall Home • October 2013

then there is a gap letting both the
light and air escape. In addition to
using flexible rubber around the
opening of the attic to better seal
the door when it is closed, you can
think about adding a thicker, more
insulated door.

Fall Home â&#x20AC;˘ October 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ 1

Create a lighting scheme
that works for the kitchen

Under-cabinet task lighting sheds light on areas
where cooks do their prep work.

W

hen designing a kitchen,
homeowners typically
give substantial
consideration to many elements
of their dream design, including
cabinet and countertop materials
and which brand of appliances
they most prefer. But few may
consider the lighting for the room
as thoroughly.
Lighting is an important
consideration in any room, but
most especially in the kitchen,
where people tend to gravitate
and spend a good portion of their
time. The right lighting can have a
dramatic effect on the functionality
of the kitchen, including how the
space feels when you enter it. The
right blend of lights can create a
vibrant mood in the kitchen, while
light can be adjusted according
to what needs to get done in the
space.
Establishing a lighting plan in a
kitchen requires a combination of
different lights. The main focus
should be on three distinct lighting
types: task lighting, ambient
lighting and accent lighting.
Task Lighting
Task light is beneficial anywhere a
person will need to perform tasks
that require close concentration,
such as chopping vegetables. Task
lighting shines direct light onto a

surface, illuminating it thoroughly,
and it can be turned off when it is
not needed.
Task lighting is generally placed
above counters and islands where
one will be slicing vegetables and
preparing food. There may be
lighting over the sink to illuminate
dirty dishes. If a kitchen has a desk
area, lighting above the desk will
make that area more functional.
Many task lighting designs include
lights under cabinetry to shine
down onto counters and eliminate
shadowed recesses. Under-cabinet
lighting is a relatively inexpensive
add-on for existing kitchens.
Homeowners can add lighting
afterward to focus more light onto
countertops.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is another name
for all-over lighting that fills a
room. During the day, ambient
light may stream in from windows
and skylights. However, at night,
ambient lighting is created by
different light fixtures in a room.
In the kitchen, overhead fixtures
are a popular choice for ambient
lighting. A blend of hanging
pendant lamps, chandeliers and
recessed lighting can create
the amount of light needed.
Homeowners should pay special
attention to the bulbs and fixtures

they choose, as not all produce
the same amount of light. Those
concerned about energy efficiency
also must give mind to whether
the bulbs will use a lot of energy
or last a long time. Compact
fluorescent bulbs as well as LED
lighting are long-lasting and
do not use as much energy as
incandescent bulbs.
Indirect ambient lighting softens
shadows in a room, creating a
warm, inviting glow. It is an
important layer of light that is
often overlooked in the kitchen.
Setting ambient lighting on a
dimmer enables homeowners to
cast a mood that is desired when
the kitchen isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t being used for
prep work.
Accent Lighting
If there are key elements around
the kitchen that a person would
like to highlight, such as a china
set, accent lighting can do the
trick. Spotlights can be used
to show off collectibles, while
a subtle strip of lighting can
illuminate a wall of artwork.
Many people like to install accent
lighting inside of cabinetry to
create dramatic focal points.
Some homeowners may want to
incorporate decorative lighting
in their kitchens. This is the use
of ornate chandeliers, hanging
pendants and other eye-catching
fixtures. Decorative lighting should
be considered in proportion to
the size of the kitchen. Therefore,
smaller kitchens will have smaller
fixtures and vice versa. Decorative
lighting may be the most
expensive type of kitchen lighting,
so some homeowners prefer to
plan ahead for the inclusion of
decorative accents by having the
wiring ready and then adding the
fixtures over time.
Lighting in a kitchen can be just
as important as which appliances
and other accessories homeowners
choose for their kitchens. Without
the right mix of lighting, the
kitchen may not be functional or
inviting.

The basics of

kitchen cabinet
refacing

Cabinet refacing can transform the look of a kitchen,
and such a project costs considerably less than a
complete cabinet replacement.

H

omeowners who
want to give their
kitchens a brandnew look without the
expense or the hassle of a
full-scale renovation often
gravitate toward kitchen
cabinet refacing.
Cabinet refacing is less
expensive and more ecofriendly than a full replacement of existing cabinets,
and experts estimate refacing costs roughly two-thirds
less than a complete cabinet renovation. Refacing
involves replacing the doors
and drawer fronts of existing cabinets during which
the cabinet boxes are
veneered to match the wood
color chosen for the refacing, while the structure and
layout of the cabinets
remains unchanged.
Essentially the kitchen footprint will remain the same
as it was before the refinishing took place.
Kitchens are popular rooms
in the home and much of
the renovation investment
made in the kitchen can be
recuperated at resale.
Homeowners looking to put
their homes up for sale soon
may find cabinet refacing is

beneficial, as it is a relatively quick renovation that can
reap big rewards.
Homeowners have options
when refacing their cabinets. While some projects,
such as stripping off old
paint and repainting, can be
a do-it-yourself project,
refacing cabinets may be
best left to the professionals. Veneer work, which is
often part of cabinet refacing, is not a skill one can
learn overnight, and it often
requires the hand of a professional carpenter.
Many cabinets can be resurfaced successfully. Older
cabinets are prime candidates, as they often are
more sturdy than newer
cabinets. In general, cabinets can be refaced as long
as their substructures are
sound.
In addition to providing a
new look for the kitchen,
cabinet refacing is an ecofriendly project. By not
demolishing existing cabinetry, homeowners are preventing old materials from
ending up in landfills while
saving trees from being cut
down to construct new cabinets. Refacing also reduces

• Existing doors and drawer fronts will be
removed and recycled or disposed of.
• If cabinet frames and boxes need to be
repaired in any way, some refacing
companies will take care of this.
• Cabinet boxes and frames are covered in
a matching veneer or plastic laminate.
• The new doors and drawer fronts are
installed, as are new handles, pulls and
moldings to complete the look.
Many companies specialize in cabinet
refacing. Homeowners should request estimates from potential candidates and review
workmanship prior to hiring a particular
company.
Cabinet refacing is often a fast, relatively
inexpensive renovation project. It can
improve the appearance and functionality
of a kitchen in a small amount of time,
while also improving the value of a home.

19 • Fall Home • October 2013

the amount of chemical products used in
the building of new cabinets, including
stains, adhesives and chemically treated
wood.
Homeowners can choose among wood,
veneer, metal, and even glass doors as
replacements in the kitchen. Coupling cabinet refacing with replacement of old
appliances can completely transform the
appearance of the kitchen in relatively little
time. Many refacing projects go as follows.
• Measurements are taken and technical
drawings are made so that new cabinet
materials can be manufactured to the
kitchen’s exact specifications.
• Homeowners choose the type of finish
they prefer for the new cabinetry.
• Manufacturing takes place, and
homeowners will schedule a time when
the work will commence.

Budget-friendly
outdoor renovation ideas

H

A little spray paint or some new cushions
can refresh older patio furniture and give
the outdoor space a completely new look.

omeowners are
increasingly extending
their living spaces
outside the walls of their homes.
Expansive and intricate stonework
patios and decked-out outdoor
kitchens are the kind of additions
many homeowners dream of.
Those with unlimited budgets can
enjoy just about any look they
desire, but many homeowners
may not have the money to go all
the way with their outdoor living
spaces. But that doesn’t mean
it’s impossible to create budgetfriendly spaces that are functional,
fun and eye catching.
Decks and patios are popular
gathering spots outside a home,
and homeowners have numerous
inexpensive options at their
disposal when choosing patio
materials. And those who can do
their own labor when installing
a patio can save a substantial
amount of money. Instead of
higher-priced composite or resin
decks, homeowners can go with
standard wood, which will need
to be stained periodically. Scaling
back the size of the deck means

less materials to buy and less labor
involved.
The cost of patio blocks depends
on the material and style. Poured
concrete patios will cost less than
placed blocks or stones because
concrete is less labor-intensive. For
those who desire the look of patio
blocks without the cost, stamped
concrete can mimic the look for
less.
Homeowners may not need to
replace patio furniture, even
if chairs and tables have seen
better days. A can of spray paint
can cover up any rusted areas or
spots where paint has peeled off
due to exposure to the elements.
Updating cushions and purchasing
a coordinating umbrella can
revitalize the patio’s entire look.
Also, very often stores run sales
to clear out merchandise for new
displays.
Defining edges of planting borders
and refreshing the landscape may
be all that is needed to improve
the yard. This is easily achieved
with inexpensive mulch and some
vinyl edging. While cleaning up
the yard, use a pressure washer to

clean stains off of siding and patios
and create a like-new appearance.
End-of-season sales can also be
the ideal opportunity to purchase
big-ticket items like a pool, a hot
tub or an outdoor fireplace/fire pit.
Shoppers can learn when stores
discount their merchandise to make
room for new inventory and then
use these sales as opportunities to
save.
Sometimes saving means
repurposing antiques or items
found at garage sales. Thanks to
the Internet, people can easily
advertise items they no longer
need or desire. A person can search
for backyard items they need at a
deep discount if they are fine with
previously used materials. From
patio furniture to masonry blocks
to above-ground pools, patient
homeowners can find just about
any item they may need to upgrade
their backyards.
Though not all homeowners can
afford to create the backyard of
their dreams, with a little ingenuity
and some sweat hard work,
homeowners can still create an
outdoor oasis.

Fall Home • October 2013 • 2

Storage Shed
purchasing tips

S

torage sheds can be invaluable for people who do
not have a garage or basement in which to store
their outdoor tools and equipment. Sheds also can
be a boon to anyone looking to increase the storage space
they have at home.
Prefabricated and made-to-order sheds are available for
all different budgets and storage needs. Buyers also can
choose among build-to-suit kits that can be ordered online
or from various retailers.
One of the first decisions homeowners need to make when
shopping for a storage shed is how much space they need.
Think about what you need to house in the shed. Will it
hold shovels and the patio umbrella, or will it need to be
larger to accommodate a lawn mower? Knowing what
you intend to use the shed for will enable you to pick the
appropriate size.
Another thing to consider is how long you plan to use the
shed. If this is merely a transitional storage building to
bide your time until your garage renovation is complete,
you may not need an expensive structure made of top-

of-the-line materials. If you have a long lifetime planned
for this shed, you will want a durable structure and might
want to increase your budget.
Before buying a shed, find out if your town, city or
province has any zoning rules about sheds. You may
need to plan a trip to the municipal building and learn the
building codes about erecting a shed. In order to protect
the safety and integrity of the area, many towns and cities
have specific zoning and building laws that need to be
followed. A shed of a certain size may require a permit
to be built, and knowing this information in advance can
save you from taking down the shed and redoing the work
at a later date.
Once you know the building codes, you can begin to
shop around for a shed. Sheds can vary widely in price.
A small, vertical lean-to shed may start out around $350,
while a larger, more intricate structure can cost between
$2,000 and $3,000. Cost may play a role in the shed you
ultimately choose, especially if you are on a fixed budget.
Available materials also should be studied when buying
a shed. While an aluminum shed may not be the most
aesthetically appealing option, aluminum sheds tend to
be affordable and durable. Wood sheds are available in
all different styles and can be very attractive. However,
they will have to be maintained to prevent rot and insect
infestation. Wood sheds also can be expensive. Vinyl
sheds may be the best of both worlds, as they are often

durable and require little maintenance. Some sheds even
enable you to build or add on different components at
a later date, so you don’t need to start out with the elite
model at the outset.
When shopping, consider if you have the skillset to
assemble the shed yourself. You can save a considerable
amount of money when buying a kit and assembling
the shed yourself. Having a shed built off-site and then
delivered, or hiring a carpenter to come and build a shed,
may cost you just as much in labor as in materials.
Keep in mind that sheds displayed in a warehouse store or
outside at a home improvement retailer may seem smaller
than they will when erected in your yard. Measure your
space carefully to ensure that the shed will blend in and
not be an eyesore in the yard. Shrubbery can be planted
around the shed to help camouflage it, and the shed also
can be color-coordinated with the house to make it appear
more cohesive.
The foundation of the shed also needs to be considered.
Sheds can rest on cinder blocks, poured concrete or
crushed stone. Check with the shed manufacturer as to the
best foundation material, and factor that expense into your
purchase.
An attractive, functional and affordable shed can be
an asset to a home. It provides extra storage space for
outdoor equipment, which can free up room in a garage or
basement.

omeowners have many
responsibilities synonymous
with certain times of year. For
example, pool maintenance must be a
priority in the summertime, but such
a chore is unnecessary in the heart of
winter.
Cleaning gutters is a household chore
that many homeowners associate with
both spring and autumn. Cleaning gutters
prevents water damage on the roof
while protecting your home’s siding and
foundation. In addition, cleaning gutters
in the fall gives homeowners a chance
to ensure they are firmly secured to the
house, an important precaution when
potentially harsh winter weather is just
around the corner.
Unlike many household chores, cleaning
gutters can be quite dangerous, as it often
requires homeowners to climb up and
down on ladders or spend ample time
on the roof. As a result, safety should
reign supreme when cleaning gutters, and
homeowners should take the following
precautions before gutting their gutters of
grime.
Don’t try to be a hero. If you are afraid
of heights, then it’s perfectly alright to
hire a professional to clean your gutters.
Men and women with a fear of heights
cannot predict how they will react when
climbing a ladder, so play it safe and hire
a professional if the thought of climbing
up and down a ladder frightens you.
Inspect the stability of your ladder.
Ladders play a key role when cleaning
gutters of leaves, dirt and grime, so
homeowners should inspect their ladders
before they get to work. An unbalanced
ladder may not be reliable and should
be replaced. You will be moving and
swaying somewhat while cleaning the
gutters, so you will need a secure ladder
that does not teeter back and forth each
time you reach for the gutter.
Keep the ladder on stable ground,
and ask a friend or family member
to hold it. The ladder should always be

planted on a flat and secure surface before
you climb up to clean the gutter. And
much like you might have a spotter when
lifting weights, have a friend or family
member hold the ladder as you climb up
to ensure the ladder remains stable.
Move the ladder frequently. It can be
tempting to reach as far as possible when
you’re on the ladder, as you can save time
by covering more ground on each trip up
the ladder. But overextending yourself is
a considerable safety risk, so move the
ladder frequently, even if the job is taking
more time than you had expected.
Wear tight clothing. Loose clothing
when cleaning gutters can easily get stuck
on shutters, tree branches or other items
when climbing up or down the ladder. If
you aren’t paying attention, clothing that
gets snagged can throw off your balance
when you start to move, increasing your
risk of falling.
Wear protective gloves. Anyone who
has cleaned gutters in the past can attest
that you never know what might have
settled in gutters since the last time they
were cleaned. Wear a thick pair of gloves
that won’t puncture when caught on
a gutter, or sharp twig or branch. You
won’t want any holes in the gloves, as
holes may leave you susceptible to any
bacteria in organic items that might have
settled in the materials in your gutter.
Gutters also may have sharp edges that
can leave you susceptible to cuts if
you aren’t wearing gloves. In addition,
gloves keep your hands warm, which will
come in handy as you clear the gutters
of materials that are often wet. When
choosing gloves, be sure to choose ones
that give you some grip so you can firmly
grasp the ladder as you climb up and
down.

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Removing debris, including dead
leaves, from a lawn before the arrival
of winter weather can help prevent
suffocation.

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hanging seasons can be tough on
a lawn. Always exposed to the
elements, lawns can fare especially
poorly upon the arrival of winter, a season
known for its harsh and unforgiving
weather. Even the most perfectly
manicured lawn can suffer at the hands of
winter weather, causing homeowners to sit

idly by and hope spring arrives that much
sooner.
But as punishing as winter weather can be
on a lawn, homeowners are not without
recourse. Much like homeowners can take
steps to help their lawns survive sizzling
summer heat waves during the warmer
months of the year, they also can take
steps to help their lawns make it through
the often stormy weather synonymous
with winter.
Don’t procrastinate. Putting off the
process of winterizing a lawn can put that
lawn in jeopardy. Lawns will turn dormant
the closer you get to winter, and they may
reject the nutrients found in fertilizer as a
result. Those nutrients will prove valuable
once spring weather returns, so start the
winterization process in early fall so the
lawn has sufficient time to absorb nutrients
and strengthen itself for the seasons to
come.
Treat trouble spots. Summer can be even
harder on a lawn than winter, especially
for those lawns located in regions where
heat waves and drought are common. In
such instances, certain spots on the lawn
seem to be hit harder than others, and
those spots should get special attention
when winterizing the lawn. Check the

soil’s pH levels before fertilizing or
applying any treatments. Such a test will
reveal which spots need the most attention,
and treating trouble spots now will make
spring lawn care that much easier.
Aerate the property. Aerating can help a
lawn recover after a long summer and help
it survive the potentially harsh months
that lie ahead. Aerating, which involves
puncturing the soil or removing cores of
soil from the ground, can restore a lawn
to health by improving its drainage and
allowing more water and air to reach the
roots of the grass. Aerating also makes it
easier for nutrients to penetrate the soil,
which encourages a healthier lawn over
the long haul. Aerators can be purchased
or rented, but homeowners uncomfortable
with the process may want to enlist a
professional to tackle the job. Parents of
small children who spend lots of time in
the yard may need to aerate their lawn
more than most, as heavy lawn traffic
compresses the soil, a potentially harmful
process that can be reversed via aeration.
Take steps to strengthen the roots.
Aerating promotes stronger roots, but
homeowners might also want to find a
winterizing product with potassium and
phosphorous, both of which can strengthen

roots. Different types of lawns will
respond differently to certain winterizers,
so discuss your options with a lawn care
professional who can help you find the
right fit for your property.
Remove debris from the lawn. Debris
left on a lawn over the winter can prove
very harmful. Piles of debris left scattered
around a lawn can suffocate the blades of
grass, leading to long-term damage and
a potentially unsightly lawn come the
spring. In addition, piles of debris might
make good homes for organisms that
can damage the lawn. As fall moves into
winter, periodically remove all debris,
including leaves and branches fallen from
trees.
Make the lawn off-limits once the
temperatures dip below freezing. A
lawn should be off-limits once the ground
freezes. Stepping on grass that has frozen
will leave noticeable footprints, and
walking on frozen grass can kill the turf.
When winter arrives, people should avoid
using the lawn as a shortcut into and out
of your home and stick to driveways and
sidewalks instead.

Some trees can be pruned in winter

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any homeowners may not know that pruning trees
in the winter can benefit some trees. Deciduous
trees are dormant in winter, so they won’t bleed
sap when pruned at this time of year like they will at other
times of year. In addition, many varieties of trees are less
likely to attract disease or insects if pruned in the winter.
Oak trees, for example, emit a strong odor when pruned,
and that odor can attract a type of beetle that causes oak
wilt. But this type of beetle hibernates in the winter, making
this the ideal season to prune oak trees.
Before pruning trees, regardless of the time of year,
homeowners should learn the types of trees on their
property and when the ideal pruning season is for each type
of tree. Pruning also may depend on climate, so speak with
a local gardening or landscaping professional to determine
when is the best time to prune the trees on your property.
Once the time has come to prune, keep the following tips in
mind to maintain healthy and aesthetically appealing trees.
Remove limbs that appear to be competing for space.
Tree limbs that are crossing, rubbing or growing parallel

to one another can be pruned. Such limbs may prohibit the
growth of nearby limbs.
Remove limbs that are growing in. Some tree limbs may
appear to be growing toward the interior of the tree, and
these limbs can be pruned.
Remove limbs growing toward the ground. A healthy
tree’s limbs will grow outward, not toward the ground.
Remove dead limbs. Dead limbs simply take up space,
and a dead limb is not going to grow back come the spring.
Dead, broken or diseased limbs should be removed when
pruning.
Do not top trees. Tree topping is the removal of large
branches and/or trunks from the top of a tree. Topping
leaves a tree susceptible to disease and insect infestation,
and homeowners who top trees to prevent them from getting
any larger should know that topping actually promotes the
growth of smaller, weaker branches that eventually grow as
tall, if not taller, than the original branches before the tree
was topped. Topping also decreases a tree’s life expectancy.